Passive mattress management system

ABSTRACT

A four-in-one passive mattress management system and method is disclosed for facilitating various tasks associated with beds of all sizes including making beds; rotating mattresses; holding a bed skirt in place while a mattress is rotated; installing or removing and re-installing a mattress, for example, in order to replace a bed skirt. Both single cover and two cover embodiments In addition, embodiments are disclosed in which the cover in accordance with the present invention is embedded in the underside of the mattress or the foundation. The invention is suitable for conventional beds on box springs or beds that are supported by fixed or variable platforms.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/360,049, filed on Jan. 27, 2012, which, in turn, is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/772,386,filed on May 3, 2010, hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a four-in-one passive mattressmanagement system and method for facilitating various tasks associatedwith beds of all sizes including: making beds; rotating mattresses;holding a bed skirt in place while a mattress is rotated; installing orremoving and re-installing a mattress, for example, in order to replacea bed skirt.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional bed includes a box spring or bottom mattress and an uppermattress. The box spring is normally carried by a bed frame which, inturn, carries a top mattress, which ends up being suspended about 13-16inches from the floor. The top mattress (hereinafter “mattress”) may beplaced on top of the box spring or alternatively placed upon a platformforming a platform bed. In both applications, the mattress is held inplace by friction and its weight.

Various types of mattresses are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.7,617,556 and 7,644,671 disclose conventional mattresses. Suchconventional mattresses include a “casing” which is formed from materialfor holding the internal components of the mattress. The casing includesa bottom panel and four (4) vertical panels connected to the peripheryof the bottom panel forming an open top container. In one suchconventional mattress, a spring core is disposed in the container andrests against the bottom floor and fits snugly against the verticalpanels. One or more layers of foam padding is placed on top of thespring core and covered with a top cover which is secured to thevertical panels.

In other known mattresses, a foam core is used in place of the springcore. The foam core is encased in a zippered encasement. Other knownmattresses are known to include a so-called “pillow-top”. The pillow topis generally formed as a comforter secured to the top cover and filledwith cotton or some type of fibrous material.

A problem with the various types of mattresses, as discussed above, isthat over time the mattress materials lose their resiliency causing bodydepressions to develop. In order to even out the wear in the mattress,it is known to rotate the mattress in the horizontal plane to relocatethe body depressions, as shown for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. Dependingon the size of the mattress, one or two people may be required to rotatethe mattress. For example, king and queen size mattresses may likelyrequire two people to rotate the mattress, as shown in FIG. 1, whilefull and twin size mattresses can likely be rotated by a single person,as shown in FIG. 2.

Mattresses are relatively heavy items. The weight of a mattress variesas a function of the coil core, the gauge of the coil and the type offoam material used. An average king size mattress weighs between 85 and115 pounds. High end king size mattresses with latex or memory foam canweigh as much as 300 pounds (http://www.mattressdirectonline.com).

In order to rotate a mattress, the mattress must first be lifted andthen rotated, As such, rotating a mattress is hard work. Depending onthe weight of the mattress, rotating a mattress can be virtuallyimpossible for some people, such as senior citizens, as well as peoplethat are handicapped or disabled and others.

In order to address this problem, mattresses with removable pillow topshave been developed. An example of such a mattress is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,414,882. The '882 patent discloses a mattress with a pillowtop that is secured to the top cover of the mattress by way of a zipper.With such a configuration, the pillow top can be relatively easilyrotated by unzipping the pillow top, rotating it and zipping the pillowtop back in place. While such a configuration enables body depressionsin the pillow top to be relocated, it has no effect on body depressionsthat result in the mattress itself. Thus there is a need for a system tofacilitate rotation of a mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention relates to a four-in-one passive mattressmanagement system and method for facilitating various tasks associatedwith beds of all sizes including making beds; rotating a mattress whileholding a bed skirt in place; installing or removing and re-installing amattress, for example, in order to replace a bed skirt. Both singlecover and two cover embodiments In addition, embodiments are disclosedin which the cover in accordance with the present invention is embeddedin the underside of the mattress or top side of the foundation. Theinvention is suitable for conventional beds on box springs or beds thatare supported by fixed or variable platforms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood with reference to the following specification and attacheddrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing illustrating two people lifting aconventional mattress carried by a box spring in an attempt to rotatethe mattress in a horizontal plane.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one person rotating a conventionalmattress carried by a box spring, shown with the mattress partiallyrotated.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of the inventionillustrating a conventional box spring and a conventional mattress andtwo covers in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 illustrating one of the covers shown in FIG.3 installed on the mattress and one cover installed on the box spring.

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevation view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, partially in section, illustrating one of the covers installedon the mattress and one cover installed on the box spring and shown in arotate configuration in which the slick surfaces of the two covers arein contact with each other, securing the bed skirt into position priorto rotating.

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of an application of the inventionillustrated in FIGS. 3-5 in which the bottom cover is to be placed overa bed skirt on the box spring.

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevation view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, shown with one of the covers installed on the mattress and theother cover installed over the bed skirt on the box spring illustratinga rotate configuration in which both slick surfaces are in contact witheach other while the bed skirt is held in place.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but shown with both covers installed on themattress, illustrating a normal configuration in which a non-slicksurface of the bottom cover is in contact with the surface of the bedskirt.

FIG. 9 is an alternative application of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 6-8 in which the bed skirt is used to hide both covers in a normalconfiguration, shown in a rotation configuration.

FIG. 10 is a partial elevation view of the application illustrated inFIG. 9 in a normal configuration in which the bed skirt is pulled downover the box spring hiding both of the covers.

FIG. 11 is a partial elevation view of the box spring illustrated inFIG. 10, partially in section, shown in a normal configuration.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of one person rotating a conventionalmattress, carried by a platform, shown with the mattress partiallyrotated.

FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of the invention in which slicksurfaces are integrated into the mattress and box spring, shown with themattress removed from the box spring and fastener strips integrated intothe corners of the mattress and box spring.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 but shown with the mattress placed on thebox spring illustrating integrated fastener strips aligned with oneanother.

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, illustrating cooperating removablefastener strips attached to the integrated fastener strips in order tosecure the mattress to the box spring.

FIG. 16 is a partial elevation view illustrating one corner of amattress disposed on a box spring illustrating integrated fastenerstrips aligned on each of the box spring and mattress, shown with acooperating removable fastener strip removed.

FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16 but shown with the cooperating removablefastener strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on themattress and box spring.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an alternative fastener configurationfor securing the mattress to the box spring, illustrating a mattressdisposed on a box spring in which the integrated fastener is disposedaround the periphery of the box spring and the mattress.

FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 18 but shown with a cooperating removablefastener strip attached to the integrated fastener strips on themattress and the box spring.

FIG. 20 is similar to FIG. 19 but illustrating a bed skirt whichincorporates a removable fastening strip attached to the integratedfastening strips on the mattress and box spring.

FIGS. 21, 22 and 72,73 illustrate alternate embodiments of a two coverembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 in which the mattress cover is aprotective cover having at least one slick surface, shown with theprotective cover removed from the mattress and the mattress suspendedrelative to the box spring.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 but shown with the protective coverinstalled on the mattress.

FIG. 23a is a partial isometric view of a material blank for use as acover with the present invention, shown with fold lines on adjacentedges and an obtuse angle cut-out at one corner.

FIG. 23b is similar to FIG. 23a but illustrating an elastic materialjoining the strips defined by the fold lines and bridging the cut-out.

FIG. 24a is similar to FIG. 24a but illustrates a cut-out at other thanan obtuse angle.

FIG. 24b illustrates the material blank illustrated in FIG. 24a with anintegrated fastener strip on the strips defined by the fold lines shownwith a cooperating removable fastener strip partially attached to theintegrated fastener strip.

FIG. 24c is similar to FIG. 24b but shown with the cooperating removablefastener strip completely attached to the integrated fastener strip.

FIGS. 24d and 24e illustrate an application of the mattress managementsystem which includes a cover with four side panels in whichconventional fasteners attached to the mattress and the foundation tohold the cover in place.

FIGS. 24f and 24g are similar to FIGS. 24d and 24e but only includesfour corner pieces that are used to hold the cover in place.

FIGS. 24h and 24i illustrate alternate configurations for securing thecover with respect to the foundation or mattress. FIGS. 24h and 24iillustrate a cover in which the connection of the side panels isadjustable.

FIG. 24j illustrates another alternate embodiment for securing the sidepanels to the mattress or foundation.

FIG. 24k illustrates another alternate embodiment for securing the sidepanels to the mattress or foundation.

FIG. 24l illustrates another alternate embodiment for securing the sidepanels to the mattress or foundation.

FIG. 24m is similar to FIG. 24d but illustrating an embodiment in whichthe mattress is covered with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24n is similar to FIG. 24e but illustrating an embodiment in whichthe mattress is covered with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24o is similar to FIG. 24f but illustrating an embodiment in whichthe mattress is covered with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24p is similar to FIG. 24g but illustrating an embodiment in whichthe mattress is covered with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is an isometric drawing illustrating an embodiment of theinvention over a platform utilizing a single cover, shown with onecorner turned up.

FIG. 26 is similar to FIG. 25 shown with the cover fully attached to theplatform illustrating a rotate mode of operation.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate rotation of a mattress relative to theplatform with the cover illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 29a is an isometric drawing of a mattress on a platform in whichthe cover, illustrated in FIG. 26 is partially turned up and attached tothe mattress.

FIG. 29b is similar to FIG. 29a but illustrated with the top mattresscovered with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 30a is similar to FIG. 29a but illustrating the cover fullyattached to the mattress illustrating a normal mode of operation.

FIG. 30b is similar to FIG. 30a but illustrated with the top mattresscovered with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 31a is an isomeric view of a conventional bed with an adjustableplatform shown in an adjusted position without.

FIG. 31b is similar to FIG. 31a but shown with a mattress.

FIG. 31c is an isometric view of an adjustable platform, shown in asleeping position.

FIG. 32 is similar to FIG. 31c but shown with a cover in accordance withthe present invention attached to the adjustable platform.

FIG. 33 illustrates rotation of a mattress relative to the adjustableplatform illustrated in FIG. 32 in which the cover in accordance withthe present invention is embedded in the foundation.

FIG. 34 illustrates an embodiment which incorporates a bed skirt and acover in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 35 illustrates rotation of the mattress relative to the foundation.

FIGS. 36-41 illustrate an application of the cover in accordance withthe present invention which facilitates replacement of the bed skirt.

FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a conventional fixed platform bed, shownwith the foam mattress removed.

FIG. 43 is similar to FIG. 42 but illustrating an exploded view of themattress.

FIG. 44 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention whichillustrates a cover in accordance with the present invention embedded inthe underside of the mattress.

FIG. 45 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention in which one cover is embedded in an underside of the mattressand a second cover is used.

FIG. 46 is an exploded isometric illustrating a conventional mattressand box spring and a cover and a method of vertically attaching thecover to the mattress.

FIG. 47 is similar to 46 but illustrating a different conventional foammattress with a zip-out bottom panel.

FIG. 48 is similar to FIG. 46 but illustrating the mattress covered inan encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21, 22 or 72,73.

FIGS. 49 and 50 are partial side elevational views illustrating a singlecover being attached to an encasement and secured thereto by way of afirst vertical attachment method.

FIGS. 51 and 52 are similar to FIGS. 13 and 14 but illustrating analternate method of securing the foundation to the mattress.

FIG. 53 is similar to FIG. 48 but shown with a cover with no flippablepanels.

FIGS. 54 and 55 are similar to FIGS. 49 and 50 but shown with a coverwith no flippable side panels.

FIG. 56 is similar to FIG. 46 but shown with a cover with no flippableside panels.

FIG. 57 is similar to FIG. 47 but shown with a cover with no flippableside panels.

FIGS. 58 and 59 are similar to FIGS. 49 and 50 but shown without anencasement and for the cover illustrated in FIGS. 56 and 57.

FIG. 60 is similar to FIG. 46 but shown with an alternate method ofattaching the cover to the mattress.

FIG. 61 is similar to FIG. 47 but shown with an alternate method ofattaching the cover to the mattress.

FIGS. 62 and 63 are similar to FIGS. 58 and 59 but shown with thealternate method of vertical attachment illustrated in FIG. 61.

FIG. 64 is similar to FIG. 46 but shown with another alternate method ofattaching the cover to the mattress.

FIGS. 65 and 66 are similar to FIGS. 58 and 59 but shown with thealternate method of vertical attachment illustrated in FIG. 64.

FIG. 67 is similar to FIG. 46 but shown with another alternate method ofattaching the cover to the mattress.

FIG. 68 is similar to FIG. 46 but the mattress encased in an encasementand shown with another alternate method of attaching the cover to themattress.

FIG. 69 is similar to FIG. 47 but the mattress encased in an encasementand shown with another alternate method of attaching the cover to themattress.

FIGS. 70 and 71 are similar to FIGS. 58 and 59 but shown with thealternate method of vertical attachment illustrated in FIG. 69.

FIGS. 72 and 73 are similar to FIGS. 21 and 22 but shown with analternate zip on encasement.

FIGS. 74 and 75 are similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 but shown with the mattresscovered with an encasement.

FIG. 76 is similar to FIG. 12 but shown with the mattress covered withan encasement.

FIGS. 77 and 78 are similar to FIGS. 27 and 28 but shown with themattress encased with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIGS. 79 and 80 are similar to FIGS. 34 and 35, but shown with themattress encased with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIGS. 81-86 are similar to FIGS. 36-41 but shown with the mattressencased with an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a four-in-one passive mattressmanagement system and method for facilitating various tasks associatedwith beds of all sizes including making beds; rotating a mattress whileholding a bed skirt in place; and installing or removing andre-installing a mattress, for example, in order to replace a bed skirt.FIGS. 27-30 b; 33-41; and 76-86 relate to the passive mattressmanagement system.

FIGS. 1-26 relate to other aspects of the invention. For example, FIGS.2-12 illustrate a two cover embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 21, 22and 72, 73 relate to encasement embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 25,26 and 44 illustrate a one cover embodiment of the invention. FIG. 32illustrates an embedded embodiment of the invention while FIG. 45relates to a two cover embodiment in which only one cover is embedded.

Mattress Management System

The present invention relates to a mattress management system. Asmentioned above, the mattress management system enables the followingtasks to be performed with respect the mattress. These tasks include:

-   -   passive bed making    -   installing or removing and re-installing a mattress, for        example, in order to replace a bed skirt.    -   rotating the mattress in a horizontal plane    -   in applications where bed skirts are used, holding the bed skirt        in place.

The mattress management system may be implemented with conventional bedssupported by a box spring or with fixed or adjustable platform beds. Inaddition, the mattress management system may be implemented with onecover or two cover and with a cover embedded in the underside of themattress or the foundation. FIGS. 21, 22 and 72, 73 illustrateembodiments in which the cover is embedded in an encasement.

One or more of the various permutations of the invention as discussedherein can be combined to form a mattress management system inaccordance with the present invention. All such combinations areconsidered to be within the broad scope of the invention. It is to beunderstood that only exemplary combinations of those permutations areillustrated and discussed below.

FIG. 12 illustrates mattress rotation in an embodiment with two covers.In this embodiment, a bed skirt 36 is disposed over the foundation. Asdiscussed below, the cover 22 holds the bed skirt 36 in place while themattress 28 is rotated. FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate mattress rotation inan embodiment with one cover. FIG. 33 illustrates mattress rotation in atwo cover embodiment in which one cover is embedded.

FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate mattress rotation with a one coverembodiment. In this embodiment, a single cover 206, as described belowis attached to the foundation 202. As shown, a bed skirt 204 is disposedover the foundation 202. During rotation, as illustrated in FIG. 35, thecover 206 holds the bed skirt 204 in place.

FIGS. 36-41 illustrate removal of a mattress 200 in order to change thebed skirt 204. As shown in FIG. 36, a single cover 206 is attached tothe foundation 202 so that a slick side of the cover 206 faces theunderside of the mattress 200. As illustrated by the arrows 201 in FIGS.37 and 38, the mattress 200 is off the foundation 202. At some point themattress will rotate and one edge of the mattress 200 will touch theground. As illustrated in FIG. 39, the mattress is then rotated, asindicated by the arrow 212 additionally, as indicated by the arrow 212,until it is clear of the foundation 202 as shown. Preferably, theposition of the mattress 200 is stabilized by placing a top edge 214 ofthe mattress 200 against a wall (not shown). The cover 206 is thenremoved along with the existing bed skirt 204. Next, a new bed skirt 204is placed on the foundation 202. The cover 206 is re-installed to thefoundation 202, over the cover 204 so that a slick side of the cover 206faces upward. The mattress 200 is then rotated in the direction of thearrow 218 until gravity causes the mattress 200 to fall onto thefoundation, as indicated in FIG. 40. The mattress 200 is then slid intoposition, as indicated by the arrows 220, as illustrated in FIG. 41. Thecover 204 may be detached from the foundation and attached to theunderside of the mattress so that a rough or non-slick side is incontact with the bed skirt. FIGS. 81-86 are similar to FIGS. 36-41 butillustrate the mattress covered with an encasement as illustrated inFIG. 21, 22 or 72, 73.

Single Cover Embodiments

In one embodiment of the invention, a single cover may be used tofacilitate rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a boxspring or a fixed or adjustable platform. Multiple embodiments of thesingle cover version are provided. In one embodiment, a slick surface isembedded in the mattress, box spring, platform, encasement, asillustrated in FIG. 21, or the mattress cover with zip-in bottom panel,as illustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43. In an alternate embodiment, theinvention relies on the inherent surface characteristic of either themattress, box spring, platform, encasement, as illustrated in FIG. 21,or the mattress cover with zip-in bottom panel, as illustrated in FIGS.42 and 43.

Embedded Slick Surface

In addition to the embodiments discussed below which require two covers,alternate embodiments are discussed below which require only one cover.For example, one of the covers 20, 22 (FIGS. 3-11) may be eliminated anda slick surface embedded into the box spring or platform. In anexemplary embodiment, the box spring or platform includes an integral orembedded slick surface facing upwardly and is configured to contact themattress. In such an embodiment, a single cover 20, as described below,may be attached to the underside of the mattress such that the slicksurface faces downwardly and the non-slick surface is in contact withthe underside of the mattress In a rotate mode of operation, the slicksurface of the cover 20 is in contact with the slick surface integrallyformed in the box spring or platform. Once the mattress is rotated andin the desired location, the cover 20 is attached to the box spring orplatform so that the two slick surfaces are in contact with each otherand the non-slick surface is in contact with underside of the mattressdefining a normal mode of operation. Alternatively, the slick surfacecan be embedded into mattress and in contact with the slick side of thecover.

Alternative Single Cover Embodiment

In this embodiment, a single cover can be used with one slick side andone non-slick side. In such an embodiment, the invention relies on theinherent surface roughness and friction of either the mattress, boxspring, platform, encasement, or mattress cover with zip-in panel. In anembodiment with a cover having two slick surfaces, the cover is attachedto either the mattress, box spring, platform, encasement, or mattresscover with zip-in panel and remains in place during both a rotate modeand a normal mode. Additional means, as discussed below, are provided tosecure the mattress with respect to the box spring or mattress toprevent unintended movement of the mattress.

An alternative embodiment of the single cover invention utilizes a coverhaving a slick side and a non-slick side. The cover is attached toeither the mattress, box spring, platform, encasement, or mattress coverwith zip-in panel. In this embodiment, the invention relies on theinherent surface roughness of either the mattress, box spring, platform,encasement, or mattress cover with zip-in panel. For example, in anormal mode of operation, the cover may be attached to the mattress,encasement, or mattress cover with zip-in bottom panel so that itsnon-slick side faces outwardly and contacts the inherent surfaceroughness of the box spring or platform to prevent unintended movementof the mattress. In a rotate mode of operation, the cover is attached tothe box spring or platform so that the slick surface contacts themattress, encasement, or mattress cover with zip-in bottom panel and thenon-slick side contacts the box spring or platform. As mentioned above,in this embodiment, the invention relies on the inherent surfaceroughness of the mattress, encasement, or mattress cover with zip-inbottom panel. The mattress is rotated and the cover is re-attached tothe mattress, encasement, or mattress cover with zip-in panel.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below. In oneexemplary embodiment shown, FIGS. 25-30 b illustrate an embodiment ofthe invention on a fixed platform. FIGS. 31c -32 illustrate anembodiment of the invention on an adjustable platform.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the cover, generally identified withthe reference numeral 100, includes a rectangular portion 102. Anattachment portion may be used to secure the rectangular portion inplace with respect to the box spring or mattress. The attachment portionmay be implemented as a side portion 104, as discussed below, or variousother means, also discussed below and virtually any means that cansecure the rectangular portion 102 of the cover 100 with respect to theplatform or box spring or mattress. The rectangular portion 102 of thecover 100 is formed to fit a fixed platform 106 (FIG. 25) or anadjustable platform 108 (FIG. 29a ) or a box spring. The side portion104 may be continuous around the perimeter of the rectangular portion.In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least a portion of the rectangularportion 102 or the entire rectangular portion 102 includes a slicksurface 108 on one side and may include at least a portion or the entireopposing side may form a non-slick surface 110.

The generally rectangular portion 102 of the cover 100 may be formedfrom a 70D×70D T210 nylon ripstop material or other material withsimilar non-elastic properties. The size of the rectangular portion 109may be selected to be the same size as the horizontal portion 111 of theplatform 106.

At least a portion of one side of the generally rectangular portion 102may be coated to form the slick side 109. The slick side 109 may beprovided by way of various coating including a silicone coating or othercoating providing a similar co-efficient of friction. The siliconecoating is optional on the slick side 109. The inherent surfaceroughness of the material may be used alone as the slick side 109. Atleast a portion of the other side of the generally rectangular portion102 may be formed as a non-slick side 110. The non-slick side may beprovided by various coatings including a polyurethane coating or apolyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating or other coating having a similarco-efficient of friction. Alternatively, materials which inherently havea slick side and a non-slick side may be used without any coatings.

The side portion 104 may be formed from various elastic materialsincluding 90 gram, 100% polyester material, otherwise known as JerseyKnit or other materials having similar elasticity properties. One sideof the side portion may optionally be coated with a non-slick coating,such as 1-3 mil of polyurethane or PVC. The optional coating is appliedto a side that will be in contact with the platform 106. The sideportion may be made from the same material as the sides of the mattress,encasement, or mattress cover with zip-in bottom panel.

The side portion 104 is attached around the perimeter of the rectangularportion 102 to secure the generally rectangular portion 109 in placeover the platform 106 or 108 (FIG. 29a, 30a ). As shown, the sideportion 104 may be provided with a width generally equal to the width ofthe vertical rails forming the platform 106 or 108 (FIG. 29a, 30a ).

The function of the side portion 104 is to hold the generallyrectangular portion 109 in place. Other means can be used to hold therectangular portion 109 in place relative to the platform 106 or 108 ina rotate mode of operation or alternatively with respect to the mattressin a normal mode of operation. For example, various fasteners includingVelcro fasteners, snaps, buttons and the like can be used. Virtually anytype of fasteners are suitable, including fasteners, for example, asdisclosed in http:/www.questoutfitters.com/plastic.htm. Also, straps,for example, nylon webbing, with or without buckles, d-rings, orfasteners can be used. All such devices are considered to be within thebroad scope of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, in a rotate mode of operation, the cover102 is attached to the platform 106 so that the non-slick surface 110 ofthe cover 102 is in contact with the horizontal portion 111 of theplatform 106 defining a rotate mode of operation. If an optionalcoating, as discussed above, is applied to the side portion 104 of thecover 102, the optional coating (not shown) will be in contact with thevertical rails of the platform 106.

Referring to FIGS. 27-30 a, operation of the single cover embodiment isillustrated. FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate a rotate mode of operation. In arotate mode of operation, the cover 104 is attached to the platform 106or 108 (FIG. 30a ). As mentioned above, in this mode of operation, theslick side 109 of the cover 100 (FIG. 25) is in contact with theunderside of the mattress 112. As such, a user can rotate the mattressrelatively effortlessly, as indicated by the arrow 113. FIGS. 77 and 78are similar to FIGS. 27 and 28 but illustrate the mattress encased in anencasement as illustrated in FIG. 21, 22 or 72, 73. FIGS. 79 and 80 aresimilar to FIGS. 34 and 35 but illustrate the mattress encased in anencasement as illustrated in FIG. 21,22 or 72,73.

FIG. 28 illustrates the mattress 112 in place after rotation. After themattress 112 is in place, the sides 104 of the cover 100 (FIG. 25) areattached to the mattress 112, as shown in FIGS. 29a and 30a ,illustrating a normal mode of operation. FIGS. 29b and 30b are similarto Figs. FIGS. 29a and 30a but illustrating the mattress encased in anencasement as illustrated in FIG. 21, 22 or 72,73.

FIGS. 31a and 31b illustrate a conventional bed on an adjustableplatform. The adjustable platform bed, generally identified with thereference numeral 390, includes a foundation 394. The foundation 394includes a base 396 and an adjustable platform 398. The adjustableplatform 398 is mechanically supported by the base 396. Electric motors(not shown) are used to adjust the position of the adjustable platform396. The mattress 392 is known to have a zip-out panel 408. One or moreslick surfaces may be incorporated into the adjustable platform bed 390to facilitate bed making. Specifically, the adjustable platform 398 maybe covered with a relatively a material having a relatively slicksurface. The zip-out panel 408 may be alternatively or in addition bereplaced by different panel (not shown) with a slick surface. One orboth of these slick surfaces can be used to facilitate bed making, thusforming a passive bed maker. In such a configuration, the mattress 392may be secured to the platform 398, for example, with conventionalfastening means, such as a zipper or other means.

The exemplary platform 398 is illustrated in FIG. 31c . The adjustableplatform 398 includes a plurality of sections 114, 116, 118 and 120which are movable about the various axes 122, 124 and 126. Variousmechanical drives (not shown) are located beneath the platform 108 thatenable the various sections to be adjusted by way of a controller (notshown). FIG. 31c illustrates the adjustable platform 398 in a sleepposition in which all of the adjustable sections 114, 116, 118 and 120are flat defining a sleep position.

FIG. 32 illustrates the application of the single cover embodiment to abed with an adjustable platform 398 (FIG. 31c ). The cover 100 functionson an adjustable platform 398 in the same manner as a fixed platform 106(FIG. 25). In particular, the cover 100 is attached to the adjustableplatform 109 with the adjustable platform in a sleep position. In arotate mode of operation, as generally illustrated in FIG. 32, the cover100 is attached so that the slick side 109 faces upwardly and contactsthe underside of the mattress 112. The mattress 112 is rotated, forexample, in the direction of the arrow 114, relatively easily. Once themattress 112 is in position, as shown in FIG. 30, the cover 100 isattached to the mattress 112, as shown in FIGS. 29a, 29b and 30a, 30b ,defining a normal mode of operation. FIG. 33 is similar to FIG. 32except an additional cover with a relatively slick surface is embeddedin the underside of the mattress 112. The slick surface on the embeddedcover (not shown) co-operates with a slick surface on the cover 109 whenthe cover 109 is attached to the foundation 104. Once the mattress isrotated, the cover 109 is detached from the foundation and attached tothe underside of the mattress 112, so that a non-slick surface of thecover 109 is in contact with the foundation.

FIG. 42 illustrates a conventional foam mattress 366 that includes amattress cover 370 with a zip-in bottom panel 374 and a foundation 368that are known in the prior art. FIG. 43 illustrates the mattress 366and the foundation 368, with the conventional mattress 366 shown in anexploded view. Referring to FIG. 43, the mattress 366 includes amattress shell 370, a foam rubber mattress support 372 and a bottompanel 374, attached to the mattress shell 370 by way of a zipper (notshown). A plurality of friction strips 376 is located on the undersideof the panel 374. The friction strips 376 help prevent the mattressassembly 366 from sliding with respect to the foundation 368. Thefoundation 368 consists of fixed platform, for example, box springs.

Alternatively, the mattress shell 370 and zip-out panel 367 may beprovided as an aftermarket encasement item to be installed over adifferent type of conventional mattress conventional mattress in thesame sense as the encasements illustrated in FIGS. 21,22 and 72,73.

FIGS. 44 and 45 illustrate various embodiments of the cover inaccordance with the present invention incorporated into a fixed platformbed as illustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43. In a first embodiment asillustrated in FIG. 44, a zip out panel 367 (FIG. 42) may be zipped outand replaced with a zippered panel 381 that has a slick surface facingdownwardly. FIG. 45 is similar and additionally includes a cover 383.The cover 383 is formed with a non-slick side 387 and a slick side (notshown). In a non-rotate mode, the cover is attached to the mattress 366so that the non-slick side 387 is facing downwardly. In a rotate mode,the cover 383 is attached to the foundation to cause the slick side ofthe cover 383 to be in contact with an optional embedded slick cover381. Optionally, the slick surfaces in contact with each otherfacilitate rotation. Moreover, the cover 383 can be used to hold the bedskirt down as well as facilitate removal of the bed skirt, as discussedabove. In a configuration in which the two optional slick surfaces arein contact with each other, bed making is also facilitated.Alternatively, the inherent surface of the underside of the mattress,encasement, or zip-in bottom panel (FIGS. 42 and 43), may be placed incontact with a slick side of the cover to facilitate rotation.

FIGS. 46-48 illustrate other single cover embodiments which include afirst embodiment of an attachment mechanism for securely attaching thecover 600 to a mattress 601. As shown, the cover 600 and the mattress601 have cooperating attachment members 604 and 602. In a first positionthe cover is attached to the foundation 603 over the bed skirt 605. Sidepanels 606 on the cover 600 hold the bed skirt 605 down. When the cover600 is flipped up, the side panels 606 are attached to the mattress 601or encasement and the cooperating attachment members 602 and 604 areattached together to secure the cover 605 to the mattress 601.

FIG. 47 is similar to FIG. 46 but for a mattress as illustrated in FIGS.42 and 43. FIG. 48 is also similar to FIG. 46 but illustrates a mattressencased by an encasement as illustrated in FIG. 21,22 or 72,73. FIGS. 49and 50 are partial side elevation views illustrating a single coverbeing attached to an encasement, as illustrated in FIG. 21,22 or 72,73and secured thereto by way of vertical attachment method, illustrated inFIG. 46.

FIGS. 53-55 are similar to FIGS. 46, 49 and 50, respectively. FIG. 53illustrates a cover 610 with no side panels. In this embodiment, themattress is encased in an encasement, as illustrated in FIG. 21,22 or72,73, and the cooperating attachment member 602, 604 is attached to anedge of the cover 610. FIGS. 56 and 57 are similar to to FIG. 53 butshown with the upper cooperating attachment members attached to amattress cover, or aftermarket encasement as illustrated in FIGS. 42 and43. FIG. 57 is also similar to FIG. 53 but shown with the uppercooperating attachment members attached to a mattress as illustrated inFIGS. 42 and 43. FIGS. 58 and 59 are similar to FIGS. 49 and 50 but areshown without an encasement and for the cover illustrated in FIGS. 56and 57.

FIGS. 60-63, 67 and 68 illustrate an alternate attachment method ofsecuring a cover to a mattress for various embodiments of a mattress.FIGS. 64-66 are similar but illustrate a mattress covered with anaftermarket encasement. FIGS. 69-71 illustrate another alternateattachment method of securing a cover to a mattress with a zip-outbottom panel as illustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43.

Two Cover Embodiment

In a two cover embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.3-11, the slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; onecover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. Onecover is provided with a slick and non-slick side. The other cover isprovided with at least one slick side and may have two slick sides. Inan alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, one cover may be aprotective cover, such as an encasement, that encapsulates the entiremattress and permanently exposes a slick surface relative to the boxspring or platform. In another alternate embodiment, one cover may beprovided that cooperates with a slick surface that is integrallyprovided on one or the other of the mattress or box spring or platform.In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS.12-20, slick surfaces may be provided on both the mattress and the boxspring or platform. In this embodiment, in order to prevent movement ofthe mattress with respect to the box spring or platform, the mattress issecured relative to the box spring or platform by removable fasteners ina normal mode of operation.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-11 and 21-22, two (2) coversare provided which enable slick surfaces between the mattress and thebox spring or platform to be selectively placed in contact with eachother to reduce the normal friction therebetween to enable the mattressto be rotated in a horizontal plane without lifting the mattress.Alternate embodiments, operate on the same principle but require onlyone separate cover that cooperates with a slick surface integrated intoone or the other of the mattress or box spring or platform. In yet otherembodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-20, the slicksurfaces on the mattress and box spring or platform are constantly inengagement with each other when the mattress is placed on top of the boxspring or platform. In these embodiments, one or more fasteners, asdiscussed below, are used to secure the mattress to the box spring orplatform to prevent unintended movement therebetween in a normal mode ofoperation.

Referring first to FIGS. 3-5, the invention comprises a first cover 20and a second cover 22. The covers 20 and 22 each include a rectangularpanel 24 and 26, respectively, configured to the size of a mattress 28and a box spring 30. Each of the covers 20, 22 includes a band 32, 34,attached to the periphery of the panels 24, 26 respectively. The bandsor side panels 32, 34, allow the covers 20, 22 be removably secured tothe mattress 28 and the box spring 30, as generally shown in FIG. 4.

The bands or side panels 32, 34 can also be formed from an elasticmaterial, for example, spandex and other stretchable materials, such asmesh or an elastic band and attached to the panels 24, 26 respectively,for example, by sewing. Alternatively, the bands 32, 34 can be formedfrom a mesh or stretchable fabric. The bands 32, 34 can also be formedfrom the same material as the panels 24, 26 or same materials as sidesof the mattress, mattress encasement, or box spring and secured to themattress 28 and box spring or platform 30 by way of the verticalattachments methods, as discussed below. Horizontal attachments methodsmay also be used to tighten the grip of the cover with respect to themattress, box spring, or foundation. The single cover and coverlessembodiments, including aftermarket encasements and mattress covers withzip-out bottom panels as discussed above may also include the attachmentmethods described in conjunction with the two cover embodiment.

The bands 32 and 34 may also be formed by less labor-intensive methods,as illustrated in FIGS. 23a-23b and FIGS. 24a-24c . The methodsillustrated in these figures, reduce the amount of sewing and thus thelabor involved. For simplicity, only one cover 20 is described andillustrated. Referring first to FIGS. 23a and 23b , one corner of acover blank, generally identified with the reference numeral 21, isillustrated for simplicity. The cover blank is formed as a generallyrectangular piece of material with fold lines, generally identified withthe reference numeral 23, adjacent to each edge of the rectangular pieceof material. As shown in FIG. 23a , a piece of material is cut out ofeach corner defining, for example, an obtuse angle. The cut-out isidentified with the reference numeral 25. The bands 32′ are folded downas shown in FIG. 23b . A piece of flexible material, such as elastic,identified with the reference number 27, is used to bridge the cut-out25. The flexible material 27 is secured to the ends of the contiguousbands 32′. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 23a and 23b significantly reducesthe labor costs.

A second technique to reduce labor costs is illustrated in FIGS. 24a-24c. In this embodiment, the corners of the material blank 21′ are cut toform a cut-out 25′ that is not an obtuse angle. The exemplary cut-out25′ is shown at roughly a 90 degree angle. In this embodiment, afastener strip 29 is affixed to each end of the band 32″, adjacent thecut-out 25′. A cooperating removable fastener strip 31 may be attachedto the fastener strips 29 to secure the adjacent bands 32″ together. Thefastener strips 29 and 31 may be Velcro or other type of fastener. Theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24a-24c allows the material blank 21′ tobe juxtaposed over the mattress 28 or box spring 30 with the removablefastener strips 31, as least partially removed, for example, as shown inFIG. 24b . and secured to the exposed cooperating fastener strip 29, orany of the attachment methods discussed below.

FIGS. 24e-24j illustrate various techniques to tighten the grip of thecover, for example, the one cover mattress management system describedherein, with respect to a mattress or foundation. Other attachmentmethods are discussed below. As shown in FIGS. 24d and 24e ,conventional fasteners, such as snaps, Velcro or buttons, generallyidentified with the reference numeral 504 are rigidly affixed to themattress 500 and/or the foundation 502. Mating fasteners 506 may beprovided on the cover 503. As shown in FIG. 24d , the cover 503 isattached to the foundation 502. As the cover 503 is attached to themattress 500, the mating fasteners 500 and 506 are joined together tosecure the cover 503 relative to the mattress, as illustrated in FIG.24e . It is also contemplated to dispose additional mating fasteners onthe cover 503 and the foundation to secure the cover 503 to thefoundation 502. FIG. 24m and FIG. 24n are similar to FIGS. 24d and 24ebut illustrate the mattress encased in an encasement illustrated in FIG.21, 22 or 72, 73.

FIGS. 24f and 24g are similar to FIGS. 24d and 24e . In this embodiment,the cover 503 is not provided with full side panels 505, as illustratedin FIGS. 24d and 24e , but rather corner flaps, generally identifiedwith the reference numeral 507.

FIGS. 24h and 24i illustrate different exemplary techniques forproviding a tight grip between the cover 503. In these embodiments, atleast two of the side panels 509, 510 are not attached together, asshown. In FIG. 29h , the end of one side panel 509 includes a loop 512.The adjacent side panel 509 includes a plurality of buttons, generallyidentified with the reference numeral 514, for receiving the loop 512.The grip of the cover 503 is adjusted depending on the particular buttonselected to catch the loop. FIG. 29i is similar but utilizes adrawstring 514, or other attachment method as discussed below, totighten the grip of the cover 503 with respect to a mattress orfoundation.

FIGS. 24k and 24l are similar to FIG. 24h but illustrate the use of thebuttons 514 with one or more cooperating buttonholes 515.

FIG. 24j illustrates a cover 503 in which all of the side panels areconnected forming a fitted sheet. In this embodiment, each side panelmay include a strap and Velcro, as generally indicated by the referencenumeral 516. In this embodiment the strap can be tightened and attachedto the Velcro in the tightened position to tighten the grip of the cover503 relative to the mattress 518 or foundation (not shown.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, one cover 20,22 has a “slick” side having a relatively low co-efficient of frictionand a non-slick side having a relatively higher co-efficient offriction. The other cover 20, 22 has at least one slick side and mayhave two slick sides. As such, when the slick surfaces of the two covers20, 22 are selectively placed in contact with each other, the mattress28 can be rotated in a horizontal plane with minimal effort by oneperson in a configuration defining a rotate mode of operation, asdiscussed in more detail below. The non-slick side is used toselectively be placed in contact with an uncovered surface of themattress 28 or an uncovered surface of the box spring 30 or platform orbed skirt. The non-slick side provides a relatively high co-efficient offriction when in contact with either an uncovered surface of the boxspring 30 or an uncovered surface of the mattress 28 or bed skirt (FIG.6) or platform (FIGS. 12 and 76) in order to reduce if not preventunintended rotation of the mattress in a normal configuration.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first cover 20 is attached to the undersidemattress 28 so that its non-slick side is in contact with the mattress28 and its slick side is facing downwardly. Similarly, the cover 22 isattached to the box spring 30 so that its non-slick side is in contactwith the box spring 30 and its slick side is facing upwardly.Alternatively, the covers 20, 22 may be provided with two slick sides.In such an embodiment, one slick side is in contact with the mattress28, box spring 30, respectively, and the other slick side is facingdownwardly or upwardly, respectively.

When the mattress 28 is then brought into contact with the box spring30, as generally illustrated in FIG. 5, the slick sides of the covers 20and 22 will be in contact with each other, enabling the mattress 28 tobe rotated in a horizontal position with reduced effort by a singleperson defining a rotate mode of operation.

Once the mattress 28 has been rotated and is in the desired position,the top cover 20 may be detached from the mattress 28 and attached tothe box spring 30 over the cover 22. This places the non-slick side ofthe cover 20 in contact with an uncovered surface of the mattress 28,thereby reducing unintended rotation of the mattress 28 with respect tothe box spring 30. In this configuration, both covers 20 and 22 areattached to the box spring 30. Alternatively, in embodiments in whicheach of the covers has a slick side and a non-slick side, once themattress 28 is in the desired position, the bottom cover 22 can bedetached from the box spring 30 and attached to the mattress 28 over thecover 20, exposing the non-slick side of the cover 22 to the box spring30. In this configuration, both covers 20 and 22 are attached to themattress 30.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate operation of the covers 20 and 22 in an applicationin which a bed skirt 36 is draped over the box spring 30, as generallyshown in FIG. 6. Heretofore rotation of a mattress 28 with a bed skirt36 draped over the box spring 30 was a relatively cumbersome task. Thepresent invention greatly simplifies rotation of the mattress 28 in suchan application while keeping the bed skirt 36 in place.

More specifically, in this application, the first cover 20 is attachedto the underside of the mattress 28 so that its slick side is facingdownward and its non-slick side (or alternatively its second slick side)is in contact with the mattress 28. The second cover 22 is attached tothe box spring 30 over the bed skirt 36 so that its non-slick side is incontact with the bed skirt 36 and its slick side is facing upward,thereby placing the slick sides of the covers 20 and 22 in contact witheach other, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 74. The mattress 28 can then berotated with reduced effort, as generally illustrated in FIGS. 12 and76.

After the mattress 28 is rotated to the desired position, the cover 22is detached from the box spring 30 and attached to the mattress 28 overthe cover 20, as shown in FIG. 8. This places the non-slick side of thecover 22 in contact with the bed skirt 36 to reduce if not preventunintended rotation of the mattress 28. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 75, thebed skirt 36 is uncovered and undisturbed since the cover 22 holds thebed skirt 36 in place during the rotation of the mattress 28.

FIGS. 9-11 are similar to FIGS. 6-8 and illustrate another applicationin which the bed skirt is used to hide the first and second covers 20and 22 in a normal configuration. Referring to FIG. 9, the bed skirt 36is disposed around the mattress 28 so that its finished side is incontact with the mattress 28 and its unfinished side is facingoutwardly. The first cover 20 is attached to the mattress 28 over thebed skirt 36 so that its non-slick side is in contact with the bed skirt36 and its slick side is facing downwardly. The second cover 22 isattached to the box spring 30 so that its non-slick side is in contactwith the box spring 30 and its slick side is facing upwardly, thusplacing the slick sides of the first and second covers 20 and 22 incontact with each other. The mattress 28 can then be rotated in ahorizontal plane virtually effortlessly by one person. Once the mattress28 is in the desired position, the first cover 20 is detached from themattress 28 and attached to the box spring 30, over the second cover 22,as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This places the non-slick side of the firstcover 20 in contact with the bed skirt 28, in contact with the mattress,thereby reducing unintended rotation of the mattress 28. Once the firstcover 20 is attached to the box spring 30, the bed skirt 36 is foldeddown over the box spring 30, thereby hiding both the first and secondcovers 20 and 22, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIGS. 21, 22 and 72, 73 illustrate an embodiment in which the firstcover is replaced with a protective cover 40, such as a protectivecover, that encapsulates the mattress 28. The protective cover 40 is tosize and shape of the mattress 28 to provide a relatively snug fit. Anopening 42 is provided along one edge of the protective cover 40 toenable the mattress 28 to be placed inside the protective cover 40. Aconventional fastener, such as a zipper 44 may be used to close theopening 42. In this embodiment, one surface 46 of the cover 40 may beprovided with a slick surface 46. The mattress 28 and cover 40 isconfigured so that the slick surface 46 faces the box spring 30. Theslick surface 46 of the cover 40 cooperates with the cover (FIGS. 72,73) attached to the box spring 30 to facilitate rotation of the coveredmattress 28 in a rotate mode. The cover 22 is as described above with aslick surface and a non-slick surface. More particularly, in a rotatemode of operation, the cover 22 is attached to the box spring 30 so thatits non-slick surface is in contact with the box spring 30 and the slicksurface faces upwardly in order to contact the slick surface of theprotective cover 40. In this mode, the mattress 28 can be rotated withreduced effort in a horizontal plane. Once the mattress 28 has beenrotated to the desired position, the cover 22 is attached to themattress 28 causing its non-slick surface to be in contact with the boxspring 30.

Coverless Embodiment

The embodiments discussed above are based on the use of one or morecovers which can be selectively configured in a rotate mode of operationor alternatively a normal mode of operation. In the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 13-20, there are no covers. In these embodiments,slick surfaces 50 and 52 are integrally provided on the mattress 28 andbox spring 30, respectively, or aftermarket encasement, as illustratedin FIGS. 21 and 22, or the zip-out bottom panel 367, as illustrated inFIGS. 42 and 43. In particular, as best shown in FIG. 13, the mattress28 is formed with an integral slick surface 50 on it is underside.Similarly, the box spring 30 can be formed with integral slick surface52 facing upwardly. As such, when the mattress 28 is properly placed onthe box spring 30, the slick surfaces 50 and 52 are in contact with eachother. In such a configuration, the mattress 28 can be freely rotatedwith respect to the box spring 30.

In order to prevent movement of the mattress 28 with respect to the boxspring 30 in a normal mode of operation, fastener systems, for example,Velcro fasteners, may be provided on the corners of both the mattress 28and the box spring 30. In particular, permanent fastener strips 54 areprovided on the corners of the mattress 28, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and16. Similarly, permanent fastener strips 56 are provided on the cornersof the box spring 30. As shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 16, when the mattress28 is correctly aligned with the box spring 30, the permanent fastenerstrips 54 are aligned with the permanent fastener strips 56. In order tosecure the mattress 28 relative to the box spring 30, removablecooperating fastener strips 58 are selectively attached to the permanentfastener strips 54 and 56 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 defining a normalmode of operation. The removable fastener strips 58 are simply removedin order to rotate the mattress 28 and replaced once the mattress 28 hasbeen rotated.

FIGS. 51 and 52 illustrate are similar to FIGS. 13-15 but illustrate amethod of securing the foundation 30 to the mattress using the verticalattachment method as illustrated in FIG. 46.

Two alternate embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 18-20. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, permanent fastener strips 60and 62 are located around the peripheries of the mattress 28 and the boxspring 30, adjacent to the edges where the mattress 28 and the boxspring 30 come together, as shown in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 19, acooperating removable fastener strip 64 is attached to the permanentfastener strips 60 and 62 on the mattress 28 and box spring 30,respectively. In yet another alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 20,the cooperating removable fastener strip 64 may be affixed to the insideof a bed skirt 66. With such a configuration, not only are the mattress28 and box spring 30 secured together, the configuration also allows abed skirt 66 to be easily installed.

Cover Materials

In addition to the above, various other materials, such as cloth, andother materials that are bendable and amenable to being folded and aresuitable for the various covers, slick surfaces, as well as the panels24, 26 for the covers 20, 22, mentioned above. The material for onecover 20, 22 need only have a slick side and a non-slick side. Thenon-slick side can be created on one side of a slick material by way ofa coating or sewing or fusing a non-slick backing to one side of thenon-slick material. Various conventionally available materials aresuitable for the cover having a slick side and a non-slick side. Forexample, “70 Denier Heat Sealable (backside) 100% Nylon Rip Stop”material is suitable for use with the present invention or othermaterials with similar coefficients of friction on the slick andnon-slick sides. Such material may be nylon, for example, 100% nylonwith a coating on one side, for example, urethane or other thermalplastic or heat sealable coating Such nylon rip stop material is knownto come in widths of 58-86″ inches wide and weighs about 1.9 to 4.4ounces per square yard. Such material can easily be pieced together toaccommodate various mattress widths if necessary.

Nylon rip stop material suitable for use with the present invention isavailable from various sources, such as, Quest Outfitters of Sarasota,Fla. (http:/questoutfitters.com). Their nylon taffeta material isdescribed in detail at http:/questouffitters.com/coated.html#HEATSEALABLE, hereby incorporated by reference. Suitable nylon taffetamaterial is also available from Rockywoods in Loveland, Colo.(http:/www.rockywoods.com). Their nylon taffeta material is described indetail athttp:/www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-Kits/Medium-Weight-Nylon-Fabrics/Heat-Sealable-70-Denier-Nylon-Taffeta,hereby incorporated by reference.

Non-woven materials may also be used for the cover 20, 22 having a slickside and a non-slick side. For example, Tyvek® polyethylene non-wovenfabric, as manufactured by the DuPont Corporation and described indetail at http:/www2.dupont.com/Products_and_Services/en_VN/nwn.html maybe used. Other materials having two slick sides can also be used, suchas, silicone impregnated nylon rip stop, for example, as available fromSeattle Fabrics, Inc., http:/www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html. Othermaterials can also be used with a coating applied to one side. Moreover,different materials can be used for each cover in an application.

Various embodiments discussed herein require one or two covers with aslick side and a non-slick side. The following materials are suitablefor this purpose and are described below. For example, the followingexemplary materials may be used:

-   -   warp-knit fabric with a polyurethane laminate coating or a        silicone coating.    -   a non-woven material with a polyurethane laminate coating or a        silicone coating.    -   Tricot fabric with a polyurethane backing or a silicone coating.    -   a stitch bond fabric with a polyurethane laminate coating or a        silicone coating.    -   Nylon or polyester ripstop with a silicone coating on one side        and a polyurethane coating on the other side    -   a stitch bond fabric, available from Tietex, item no 944164,        style no. C243, wherein the fabric is 32% rayon, 22% polyester,        6% twaron and 40% coat.

Materials having a similar co-efficient of friction and porositycharacteristics may also be used. All such materials are considered tobe within the broad scope of the invention.

The following textile materials may be also be used for the varioussurfaces discussed above. These textile materials can be used uncoatedor coated on one side as indicated below to control the co-efficient offriction to create a slick surface or a non-slick surface relative tothe co-efficient of friction on the uncoated side.

70 DENIER X 70 DENIER NYLON RIPSTOP

70 DENIER X 70 DENIER POLYESTER RIPSTOP

70 DENIER NYLON & POLYESTER BLEND

70 DENIER NYLON TAFFETA

70 DENIER POLYESTER TAFFETA

30 DENIER POLYESTER OR NYLON RIPSTOP OR TAFFETA

210 DENIER OXFORD NYLON

210 DENIER OXFORM POLYESTER

210 DENIER NYLON & POLYESTER BLEND

WARP-KNIT FABRIC

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC)

POLYETHELENE SHEETING

POLYPROPOLENE SHEETING

NON-WOVEN FABRIC

OLEFIN (a.k.a. polyethylene & polypropylene)

STITCH-BOND FABRIC

COTTON BLEND

TERRY MATERIAL

TRICOT

HIGH DENSITY & MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHELYNE FILM

The following coatings have a relatively high co-efficient of friction.These coatings may be used to provide a rough or non-slick surface.

POLYURETHANE coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

POLYVINYL CHOLRIDE (PVC) coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

THERMO PLASTIC coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

RUBBER coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

HEAT SEALABLE coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

WATER REPELENT coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

ACRYLIC coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

ADHESIVE coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

BLENDED COATING OF ANY OF THE ABOVE

UNCOATED (inherent COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION OF uncoated fabric)

The following coatings may be coated on a side of the materials providea relatively low co-efficient of friction and thus may be used toprovide a slick surface:

SILICONE coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

TEFLON coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

PETROLEUM BASE coated/laminated/bonded/impregnated/backing

BLENDED COATING OF ANY OF THE ABOVE

SLICK FIBER WOVEN INTO FABRIC

UNCOATED (inherent COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION OF uncoated fabric)

Attachment Means

Various vertical and horizontal attachments are disclosed herein.Horizontal attachments are used to secure side panels together, forexample as illustrated in FIGS. 23a-24c, 24h, 24i, 24k, and 24l . Otherattachment means such as illustrated in FIG. 24j may be used as well.Such horizontal attachments may also be used to tighten the grip of theside panels of the cover, or optionally the encasement, to a mattress ora foundation.

Vertical attachments are used to secure a cover to a mattress (FIGS. 46,56, 60, and 67); a cover to a mattress with a zip out bottom panel(FIGS. 47, 58, 61, and 69); and an aftermarket encasement (FIGS. 48, 53,62, and 68). Various other vertical attachments are illustrated forattaching a cover to a mattress (FIGS. 24m, 24n ) and a mattress coveredwith an aftermarket encasement (FIGS. 24o and 24p ).

In addition, a flip panel, straps, or other members (not shown) caneither be attached to a mattress, mattress cover, encasement, orfoundation. A fastener system can be imbedded in the flip panel, straps,or other members that cooperates with a mating fastener such as azipper, buttons, buckles, or other fasteners to a cover or thefoundation to secure the mattress to the foundation or to secure a coverto the mattress, mattress cover, or encasement, or foundation.

All fastener systems described and illustrated herein are suitable forboth the vertical and horizontal attachments for all embodiments of theinvention and can be used interchangeably or in combination with eachother.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. For example, materials forthe covers and slick surfaces other than those mentioned above can bewhich have similar co-efficient of friction characteristics. Thus, it isto be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedabove.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by a Letters Patent of theUnited States is:
 1. A passive management method for a mattresssupported by a foundation, the method comprising the steps of: (a)securing a cover in place having a slick side and a non-slick side tosaid foundation with the slick slide in contact with the underside ofsaid mattress; (b) sliding the mattress off said cover on saidfoundation; (c) removing said cover from said foundation; (d) installinga new bed skirt on said foundation; (e) re-securing said cover in placeover said bed skirt on said foundation so that the non-slick side is incontact with the bed skirt; (f) sliding said mattress in place over saidcover; and (g) securing said cover relative to said mattress.
 2. Themethod as recited in claim 1, further including the step of removing anexisting bed skirt from the foundation after said cover is removed andbefore said new bed skirt is placed over the foundation.
 3. The methodas recited in claim 1, wherein said securing steps include securing saidcover by way of a stretchable band to said mattress or alternatively tosaid foundation.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein saidsecuring steps include securing said cover to said mattress oralternatively to said foundation by way of one or more fasteners.
 5. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein said securing steps includesecuring said cover relative to said mattress or alternatively to saidfoundation by way of a draw string.
 6. A method for removing a mattressfrom a foundation, the method comprising the steps of: (a) securing acover in place having a slick side and a non-slick side to saidfoundation with the slick slide in contact with the underside of themattress; (b) sliding the mattress off said cover that is on saidfoundation.
 7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said securingstep includes securing said cover by way of a stretchable band to thefoundation.
 8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said securingstep includes securing said cover to the foundation by way of one ormore fasteners.
 9. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein saidsecuring steps include securing said cover relative to the foundation byway of a draw string.
 10. A method for removing a mattress from afoundation, the method comprising the steps of: (a) securing a coverhaving a slick side and a non-slick side to a mattress with the slickslide facing away from the mattress; (b) sliding said mattress off thefoundation.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said securingstep includes securing said cover by way of a stretchable band to themattress.
 12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said securingstep includes securing said cover to the mattress by way of one or morefasteners.
 13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said securingstep includes securing said cover to the mattress by way of adrawstring.
 14. A method for installing a mattress on a foundation, themethod comprising the steps of: (a) securing a cover having a slick sideand a non-slick side in place relative to said foundation with saidslick slide facing away from said foundation; (b) sliding the mattressonto the cover until the mattress is in place over the foundation. 15.The method as recited in claim 14, wherein said securing step includessecuring said cover by way of a stretchable band to the foundation. 16.The method as recited in claim 14, wherein said securing step includessecuring said cover to the foundation by way of one or more fasteners.17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein said securing stepincludes securing said cover to the foundation by way of a drawstring.18. The method as recited in claim 14, further including the steps of:(c) securing the cover to the mattress.
 19. A method for installing amattress on a foundation, the method comprising the steps of: (a)securing a cover having a slick side and a non-slick side to a mattressor a foundation with the slick slide facing outwardly and the non-slickside facing inwardly; (b) sliding the mattress over the foundation untilit is in place.
 20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein saidsecuring step includes securing a said cover by way of a stretchableband relative to said mattress or said foundation.
 21. The method asrecited in claim 19, wherein said securing step includes securing saidcover to said mattress or said foundation by way of one or morefasteners.
 22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein said securingsteps include securing said cover relative to said mattress or saidfoundation by way of a drawstring.
 23. The method as recited in claim19, further including the steps of: (c) un-securing said cover from themattress or alternatively from said foundation after said mattress is inplace; and (d) securing said cover to the other of said mattress or saidfoundation.
 24. A method for facilitating bed making comprising thesteps of: (a) securing a cover having a slick side and a non-slick sideto a mattress with the non-slick side in contact with the underside ofthe mattress and the slick side in contact with the foundation in orderto reduce the friction between said cover and the foundation; and (b)tucking a sheet between said cover and the foundation in order to makethe bed.
 25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said securingstep includes securing said cover by way of stretchable bands.
 26. Themethod as recited in claim 24, wherein said securing step includessecuring said cover relative to the mattress by way of one or morefasteners.
 27. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein said securingsteps include securing said cover relative to the underside of themattress by way of a draw string.
 28. A method for facilitating bedmaking comprising the steps of: (a) securing a cover in place having aslick side and a non-slick side to a foundation with the non-slick sidefacing toward said foundation and said slick side in contact with theunderside of said mattress in order to reduce the friction between saidmattress and said cover; and (b) tucking a sheet between said cover andsaid mattress in order to make the bed.
 29. The method as recited inclaim 28 wherein said securing step includes securing said cover by wayof a stretchable band to said foundation.
 30. The method as recited inclaim 28 wherein said securing step includes securing said cover to thefoundation by way of one or said fasteners.
 31. The method as recited inclaim 28 wherein said securing step includes securing said coverrelative to said foundation by way of a drawstring.
 32. A mattressencasement comprising: a top panel and side panels integrated togetherforming an encasement for enclosing all but a bottom side of themattress; a removable bottom panel for closing said bottom side of saidencasement having a slick surface on one side; and a zipper system forremovably securing said bottom panel to said encasement.
 33. A covercomprising: a panel having a slick side and a non-slick side, said panelformed with one or more side panels forming a box-top configuration. 34.The cover as recited in claim 33, further including one or morefasteners for securing said cover to a mattress or alternatively to afoundation.
 35. The cover as recited in claim 33, further including adrawstring for securing said cover to a mattress or alternatively to afoundation.
 36. A cover comprising: a panel having a slick side and anon-slick side; and one or more fasteners for securing said cover to amattress or alternatively to a foundation.